Hello, im a freshman in college and I am having a problem deciding what to do with my life
I could join the air force and enjoy decent pay, great housing, chances to fly planes, etc. I have seen the air force officer benefits package and its ideally everything you would want ie security, health, education, base housing,etc. the problem with this is that it severely restricts your personal freedom.
While i like the above things i find that it would limit my life.Its too perfect. I feel like i want to be able to do things like backpack europe or be able to switch jobs whenever i feel like it, be able to live in paris for 4 months then move to canada for a month then japan for a week.
I’m also slightly ashamed to say this but if i did join the air force, serving my country would not be one of my main reasons. The reason for this is that i consider myself an "international citizen" and I also have a polish citizenship. I am not a typical average joe who thinks america is the best. Country borders do not mean much to me and while america is my home, i find that ethnocentrism is a very bad state of mind.
Some people tell me to join the air force because you can retire at 48. I don’t like this comparison as it assumes i want to quickly get through life and my career so i can retire. I want to enjoy my career. It also assumes that my life will be scripted and closed to change and new experiences. That is definitely not something i want, and while the air force could give me lots of good things, it could potentially make my life too scripted and planned out.
Its not like i feel forced to join the military. I have liked the military since i was little, i watch the military channel all the time and Im even almost finished pledging pershing rifles ( a military honor fraternity)
Hello Peter.
Your citizen of the world interest has helped to answer your own question.
You are not the kind of person who would do well in the military services.
Chance to fly airplanes? No. There is no chance to fly airplanes. Only about 3 percent of the Air Force will ever qualify to become an Air Force pilot. It will take 8 years of your life just to be qualified and proficient as a pilot. That is "IF" you are selected, if you pass the flight physical, and pass undergraduate pilot training, and graduate pilot training.
Don’t let the military spend $1 million + dollars on you if you are not serious about defending America or that America is a second best country in the world in your mind.
We only want "Typical Joes who think that America is best" to join up and serve together as a TEAM.
You would not be on our TEAM.
So, finish your college and get that plane ticket to Europe and back pack your way across the Continent. Go visit Poland and see how you like that country.
Best wishes,
Larry Smith
SMSgt, USAF (Ret.)
First Sergeant